Update 11:35 a.m. Brownback spokeswoman Eileen Hawley has revised her statement to say only that the release of names is under discussion. She said she'd been premature in announcing a change in plans because the governor hadn't formally signed off. Hawley said no final decision has been made.

6:55 a.m. Governor Sam Brownback now plans to release the names of applicants for a new seat on the state court of appeals. Brownback's spokeswoman Eileen Hawley said Tuesday the governor changed his position because he wants to focus on appointing a high-quality judge to the seat. Hawley said the names will be disclosed after the July 31 application deadline. Under a selection process enacted this year, the governor will appoint judges to the court of appeals, subject to state Senate confirmation. Previously, a judicial nominating commission screened applicants and named three finalists. The governor then selected one, with no legislator input. The League of Women Voters of Kansas filed a request last week for the names to be released.

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Gov. Sam Brownback's office has rejected a request to publicly disclose the names of applicants for a new seat on the state Court of Appeals . The League of Women Voters of Kansas filed a request for the applicant names under the Kansas Open Records Act. League President, former Democratic state Rep. Dolores Furtado, says the process for picking judges legislators approved this year is "definitely less open" than the previous method. The law took effect July 1. Previously, a statewide...